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DIY greenhouse - $100 maybe
Well, I thought this site was gardening when I signed up
Didn't realize it was about bananas I guess I should have read more But maybe I can do bananas in my "new" greenhouse I 1st built it in '05 - too big, didn't like the roof So I never finished it pending a redesign & other house projects Last fall I took it apart & rebuilt it, much lower I dug out the inside & put in the winter storms in March I put the door on one day & it was closed in...and I was sweating Next day I put a remote thermometer in there & it was reading 107 :woohoonaner: Ah, that's the temp up near the roof I moved it down near the ground & put it inside 3" PVC to "protect" it from the sun Much better....only 101 :03: So now I need an automatic vent on it I've had veggies growing since April This means I'm getting a 6 week head start & will extend my growing season GREATLY All the jalouise windows were $75 - included winter storms **EDIT - jalousie windows were $75...I thought I got them for free ---but that was some other jalousie windows The roof is sliding glass door panels - free I spent less then $30 on PT wood, quite a bit leftover after redo There is a 55g drum in the corner to collect rainwater I'm hoping to pick up a pair of 330g tanks shortly  Old design was too big & blocked 2 windows  |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
Very resourceful. Looks like the perfect spot to overwinter a few bananas.
Michael |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
Good work. Try putting a thermometer on the ceiling and floor. Daytime temps are as much as 30* apart in mine(which is sheet plastic). At night temps can drop quickly. Looks to be a great plant starting / season extending spot.
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Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
It went down to maybe 39 or so last night
The greenhouse was 51 when I checked it at 6:45a I took the West side storms off (7'), South side (10') is mostly off Only 3' of storms left on facing South. The East wall (7') still has both storms on. It's supposed to stay in the 50's at night after Wed. This fall I'm going to dig down & insulate the perimeter to a depth of about 3' on the East & South sides. The West side I'm going to have to dig deeper as it borders the stairs to the basement. I have a bunch of insulation that was under the vinyl siding I removed So I figure 1" should give me about R4-R5, I may be able to go thicker then that Ideally I'd like a couple temp probes Ceiling, floor level, 6" in the dirt & then maybe 2' down I used to work for a company that had chart systems to track/check/certify furnace Temps. I'm sure by now the stuff is computerized. But I'm out of work so that will have to wait And My HoneyDoList is pretty long I'm getting ready to finish up the roof on an addition 24x36 garage, same size great room over it, & a walk up 19x24 attic I'm debating on starting bananas this year, or waiting until next year. I know (think?) they can take a while to grow/bear fruit. So maybe I should start them this year. I'm going to have to spend some time going thru threads & researching |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
Re : Research. Smartest thing you can do. I collected most of my plants last Sept through Dec and have had no trouble(kept indoors). I was able to get a nice remote temperature gauge from home despot for about what you paid for your greenhouse. It's actually a lot of fun comparing indoor vs. outdoor vs. greenhouse temps throughout the day/ season etc. There were more and less expensive units but the $30 model works great and seems to be accurate.
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Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
Very nice! Excellent work....and on such a low budget, no less! I hope it works out well for you!
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Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
Thanks
I'd like to go thru one winter & monitor the greenhouse temps before I attempt to leave anything in there over the winter |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
Very nice Dave. You are very resourceful! I heard of ppl using old patio & shower doors to make a greenhouse.
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Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
I'm almost finished with the main garden support
I took apart someone's pool deck so the support posts were free The pipes were leftover from some old fencing I had to spend maybe $5 on some connectors Finally support for my 8' tomato plants !! There is another 4x4 support just to my left as I took the picture I have one more pipe to cut & run across - you see the pipe end sticking put in the middle I spread out the horse compost today I still have a lot more seedlings to transplant  |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
Looking great Dave for supports. Put those 4 little guys in lower left corner inground & take them outof their pots :)
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Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
Those were red japanese maples from MIL's house
They were growing where they were not wanted, so I took them They were OK last year - nuttin this year :( She has 2 more seedlings that are about 12" tall that she is keeping. If any more pop up I'll transplant them to my greenhouse instead of down in the garden area. It gets too crowded in the summer & I think they were shaded too much |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
It went down to about 9 last night (11 according to weather site), 11 when I got up
The greenhouse was just about 33 degrees So it looks good to winter the bananas in there next year I still have to insulate part of the roof & some more storm windows to install |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
Its 38 outside & the greenhouse is up to almost 60
I'm going out to dig around the inside foundation & put in some old "rigid" insulation that was under the vinyl siding This should help keep the greenhouse warmer from the cold concrete The sun is up over the back trees every day now So the greenhouse will be warmer & warmer Time to start the veggie seedlings inside so they will be ready to transplant to the greenhouse in a few weeks I also need to build bench/shelving unit in the greenhouse to stack potted plants I have some PT wood that I will use for that Then finish connecting the 55g rainwater/watering system |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
Finally found my pickaxe
So the South wall is dug down to ~2' I also found the sewer pipe...only about 12" down I was thinking it was deeper It was 64 at ground level...I was in a T-shirt digging - 45 outside & sunny Supposed to be sunny tomorrow too So hopefully I can finish the South & the West sides The East side has my 55g drum of water...which I will need to drain 1st I'll also be redoing the roof this year I'm removing the framing from the sliding glass doors on the roof Then I'll put PT wood on the sides of the rafters & the glass will sit on the PT |
EDIT - some more of my posts were merged, screwing up the timeline again
So now I have no idea when these different things were done This really screws things up...this sucks Well I was bummed out for the past 10+ days Cloudy & snowy - did not stick, but the greenhouse was not even going over 50 So today I went back out to finish up the insulation around the foundation And discovered that I had buried the Temp sensor under the dirt So it has been reading ground temp, & close to 50 isn't bad for Feb I finished 2 walls, dumped the 55g water & waiting for it to drain/seep in Relocated the Temp sensor where it is supposed to be And with maybe 1/2 hour of sun its up over 77 in there !!:0517: Finished insulating 3rd foundation wall Its up over 81 now in there...bright sunshine I took a bunch of rocks out, they will go in my dry river bed I need to drill the 55g drum out & install a spigot I also need to put in a bunch of mulch from the mulch pile So maybe later in the week I'll be ready for seeds |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
I really need to build a heat exchanger for the greenhouse
It was up to 90 out there (57 maybe outside) I'd love to use that to heat the house !! I'm planning on building one for this fall |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
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Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
You've got it against 2 windows. :waving: I had mine like that once. A box fan facing in from one will bring in the warm air during the day.
:woohoonaner: |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
Anybody knows any DIY irrigating systems? Any ideas?
:woohoonaner: |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
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Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
Mostly about drip irrigations. To be honest I dont know much beside good old hose sys :ha:. This dripping methods looks interesting but I didnt see that in person anywere for now.
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Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
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Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
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 :ha::ha::ha: Sorry, that wasn't very helpful, huh? |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
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Once I take off the storm windows & open the jalouisie windows it stays pretty cool in there It was up to 95 in there today.....I need to get my seedlings going !! Quote:
It was too high...didn't like it...& figured it would not heat up as much in the winter I dug it down into the ground so I can stand up Looks better & more non-intrusive...doesn't stick out like a sore (green) thumb :ha: |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
:woohoonaner:
I did my first steps in drip irrigation today: Thaks for info Tony :nanadrink: |
This Post is a number of posts that were made over a 6 week period
They were merged to one post dating back to March 9th by a Moderator This unforunately messes up the timeline That looks better then what I have I have a soaker hose for the greenhouse Then the 10x14 garden that borders the greenhouse has drip tubing But it doesn't seem to work that good...the longer it is Greenhouse topped 102 yesterday at the top (not sure on date on this now) I'm going to relocate the sensor down lower I have to redo the roof a little this year I'm removing the framing from the sliding doors & mount them between the rafters on PT lumber I dug out the middle of the greenhouse (not sure on date on this now) I built a PT frame so now the outside edges are higher That way I can walk in there without hitting my head I took a bunch of rocks out, so I need to fill in with more dirt near the door I planted 2 types of Marigolds, some gaillarda & a few different types of sunflowers (not sure on date on this now - May have been March 21st) I moved my 1st dozen summer squash plants out to the new garden by the stream today Also transplanted about 3 dozen+ sunflowers to different places around the house I have a lot more sunflowers growing, plus I planted more seeds around the house I have a lot of Marigold seedlings growing in the greenhouse + I have (7) almond tree seedlings growing (so far) (not sure on date on this now - I think around April 21st) I should be moving more out maybe Sat After that we expect rain off & on for 5 days |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
Why were my posts merged when they were from different days ?
Now it seems like everything was done on the same day which is not the case And looking at the thread I no longer have a time line of the things I did The posts were not all from March 9th WTF ? |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
Sorry, I tend to merge all consecutive posts by the same individual to make the forums easier to read for others. That way, they know each 'post' is a new person talking rather than the same person saying something else. Quite a few members tend to post consecutively to add small points of information rather than editing the previous post to amend it (and thus, merging is effective to keep things easy to read through). Merging consecutive posts is just kind of a habit at this point. Sorry if I threw off your time-line...this was not my intention. I'll refrain from merging your posts on this thread in the future.
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Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
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Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
Well damn....I'm sorry guys. I guess the fool-proof way to prevent such things is to date any posts in the post if you want to do the 'progress report' thing. Otherwise, I tend to merge any consecutive posts on the site.
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I'm a Mod on another site
Consecutive posts the same day are SOMETIMES merged (minutes apart) & ONLY if it makes sense DAYS apart are NEVER merged , *edit by ME - removed my not so nice comment * WEEKS & MONTHS APART - NEVER !@! Look at the date of the post It doesn't make things easier when post are WEEKS apart, it screws things up So on the SAME day I planted the sunflower seeds & then by magic I had 36 grown seedlings to transplant that SAME day ??? The fool-proof way to prevent this is to LOOK at the DATE of the posts DAY 1 This is an update My timeline was butchered by a Mod merging posts so now some of the posts do not make sense |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
I didn't like my latest post merged with my post from last June or July. It only makes things more confusing to read. I was posting an update.
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Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
I'm not sure I can reconstruct my timeline now
I was hoping others would see from my progress that a greenhouse in a Northern climate can be a great asset Even a small one like mine I do need to build some shelves to take more advantage of the small real estate 7x10 on the outside - less on the inside And by having your new post merged back to an old post it does not show up when you look for new posts . I wish the sig line showed up lower sometimes Maybe I just need to add some dots I should also add...I might have somewhere.... that I recalculated the cost of the greenhouse Windows were not free as I thought, so $75 for windows And I think by the time I get thru w/roof (small) & odds & ends I'll have spent another maybe $100 including 55g drum for rainwater & drip system So still under $200 complete . . |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
Plants are looking pretty good
I still have more to move out there, maybe Thurs Tomato's are getting bigger & the main stem thickening up Newer seedlings just moved have a green stem Ones that have been outside for a while have reddish/darker stems  I need to build shelves along the back wall I need to use more area w/small space I have   |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
I moved the rest of the seedlings from the sunroom to the greenhouse
I found out one year if I delay doing this they do not get as much sun in the sunroom So they do not grow as fast & grow leggy I transplanted most to small single pots About a dozen or more Tomato plants I moved to 4-5" pots I'll have to see how big they get by the end of the month & adjust my seedling starting time next year I have about 170 Tomato plants - 5 different varieties About 80 Pepper plants - 2 specific kinds & then one pack was a pepper mixture I planted Peas out in the reg garden on the 25th So the only thing left to plant is carrots I need to dig up an area for those, they didn't get that big last year I'm planning on moving more seedlings out to the gardens this weekend Supposed to be nice & in the low 70's I buried the the pumpkins from last year in the garden by the stream There are dozens of seedlings coming up Now I just need Mother Nature to cooperate this year |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
Its 58 outside & up to 84 in the greenhouse - at ground level
I need another thermometer near the top Its only supposed to go up to mid 60's today, possibly up to 80 this weekend So I may be opening the door during the day Maybe I'll move some of the cukes out to the garden tomorrow |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
It was over 98 today in the greenhouse at ground level
I meant to go out & open the door to cool it off But started clearing out along the back fence & forgot I have to remember tomorrow as it will be even warmer & sunnier And Sunday is going to be in the 80's Possibly time to start taking the winter storm windows off But its still going down to mid 40's at nite |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
Cool it down Dave.
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Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
I opened the door in the morning
Also vented one roof panel about 8" & I took down 1 storm window It still went up to 85 So I put the solar heater for the hot tub on top of the greenhouse back against the house I had to go buy some hose & clamps to connect it to the hot tub By the time I got back from HD & hooked it up it was maybe 2:30 The 1st water coming out of it was steaming hot By that time 1/3 of the panel was shaded & it was after 3pm It was still raising the Temp of the water 6 degrees But I shut it down until tomorrow I want to see how much the 4' wide solar water heater panel shades the greenhouse |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
Solar panel is back against the house, very little shading of the greenhouse
I installed supports & a post & installed the 2nd solar panel 1st water coming out was 140 degrees:2169: After the system ran for a while the output dropped to 94/7 With clouds it dropped now & then down to 82-89 Over a 6 hour period it brought the temp from 56 degrees up to 75.6 That's 450g of water heated 19 degrees Looks like this will work nicely Scattered showers expected over the next 2 days So maybe min heating, then 3 days of sun after that Hoping to get the Temp up over 80 Then it will make a nice warm pool to cool off & relax in And as a plus its keeping sun off the roof part of the greenhouse Which will keep the temps down |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
2nd day of heating the solar hot tub - up to 96 by 1:30pm
I expect to top 100 tomorrow :woohoonaner: And as an added bonus the greenhouse has been staying under 80 I am going to need to make a new custom hot water panel for over the greenhouse The 4x12 is too big I think one 30" x 12' will work The spare 4x12 panel will go out to the hot tub by the pool OR, I might use it to preheat water to the water heater I really need to collect some more sliding glass doors & make the solar hot water heater for the house Maybe I can make one to help heat the greenhouse in the early spring & late fall Seedlings are doing very well Tomato plants are getting pretty big Peppers are still small, very slow to grow I will have to start them earlier next year Actually I will need to start everything at least 2 weeks earlier next year |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
Hey Dave I think that's awesome. A great mind is a terrible thing to waste, so stay at it :^)
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Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
Hot tub hit over 104 just after Noon
Turned on the jets, grabbed a beer & went in for a soak Very nice |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
I'm jealous!!! We are s'posed to get frost tonight.
Can you post some pics of your solar thingy? |
Its not pretty, bolts are rusted, glazing is fogged
But dang if it doesn't work Its up to 111 with the hot tub recirc off Heating cycle at an end I expect it to drop at least 3 degrees when I turn the pumps on And at least 5 degrees overnight But that means it could stillbe 103 in the morning I really need to get 1/2 of this heating our hot water Hey guess what ? The control panel doesn't work over 106 :ha: It was just flashing "HO" And my wife didn't even have her top off :drum: As I said not pretty But I did not want to invest in any paint or anything else until I tested it Plan is to paint it, pick up new screws & new glazing I think with new glazing one panel can heat each tub Or I may need to make a small 2nd panel for this tub The 4x12 against the house is really too big & shades the greenhouse too much Pic was taken at 3:30, hot tub was 111 & solar heat was shut off Even with the shading you see on the panels they were putting out 118 degree water  |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
Shut the solar heater off @1pm as the tub reached 106
Now I need to connect a loop to preheat water for the house Recd the electric bill today - lowest bill in 4 years !! 35% lower then last month & the same month last year I've moved a large number of tomato & pepper plants out to the big garden Late Sunday I may move the rest out Weather looks good for the next 10 days We will be over a week past the normal last freeze |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
Hot tubs working great, hasn't dipped below 96 even after 2 cloudy/rainy days
I just picked up 4 more solar water heaters - 3x6 :woohoonaner: I'm going to take the 4x12 off the top of the greenhouse & install a 3x6 That will let more light inot the greenhouse Plus the (2) 4x12's are too much for the hot tub I'm taking the 4x12 & another 3x6 & installing them on the hot tub out by the pool That will heat the tub & excess will heat the pool Then the last (2) 3x6's will be setup to provide hot water for the house I've moved just about everything out of the greenhouse & into the reg gardens I may start some other seeds in the GH, not sure yet |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
I started another thread on the Hot tubs & solar heat
http://www.bananas.org/f9/solar-heat...tub-11634.html My 1st cucumber is starting to grow, saw it yesterday This is the earliests ever !! We have had 2 90 degree days in a row Its supposed to be cooler tomorrow, so I am going to move the bigger tomato plants out to the reg gardens Now I'm not sure what to do with the greenhouse for the summer ? Maybe start some flowers from seed |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
I have a bunch of small cucumbers growing
Hopefully the plants can keep up & keep them growing Summer squash I planted outside weeks ago has exploded in growth Pumpkins are growing everywhere I'm moving the rest of the plants from the greenhouse out to the main gardens I'm growing maybe 8-12 tomato plants in the greenhouse |
Re: DIY greenhouse - $30 maybe
Some more info on DYI Green houses
Backyard Greenhouse free pvc greenhouse plans The History of the Passive Solar Greenhouse - Why Build? How to build a small, cheap, simple and easy greenhouse Build a PVC Greenhouse hope it is informative |
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